The Setai, Sea of Galilee is due to open May 30, featuring 88 suites and 22 rooms, averaging 55m². “We are expanding the Setai brand out with The Setai Miami, a hotel known for its luxury offerings, and have invested hundreds of millions of shekels into our latest properties to introduce the brand to Israel,” says CEO of Orchid Hotels, Avi Hormaro. Setai, Sea of Galilee rooms feature a king size bed, living room, balcony, shower and bathtub, with 50 percent offering panoramic sea views and the other half mountain views of the Golan Heights. They come with either a garden or terrace with full wood Jacuzzi or private infinity pool, and sepaprate east and west facing balconies in a selection of suites. “Our objective is to bring a new agenda of accommodation and hospitality to Israel with this world-class brand,” says Hormaro. “We are also equipped for all types of traveler and can cater for up to two adults and three children in our suites.”

Israel’s largest spa complex is located on site with treatment rooms offering private Jacuzzi baths. The spa also has an indoor swimming pool with water beds, a gym and Turkish Hamam. “We have invested a lot of time and money into ensuring all our amenities are state of the art,” says Hormaro. The dining room serves a buffet breakfast, with an á la carte Galilean chef restaurant using locally sourced produce, providing kosher meat and dairy options. “The property has been built to connect directly with nature, incorporating elements of earth, wind, fire and water,” explains Hormaro. “The outdoor landscape has fireplaces, hundreds of orchid trees and places to relax in the day and from which to gaze at the stars by night, encompassing the spirit of Israel.” Other amenities include a kids’ club with mini golf, conference room for up to 200 people, a large reception area for private events and a helicopter landing pad.

“We are working to position ourselves at the front row of luxury in Israel, an approach we are executing through negotiations with applicable companies who can leverage our reservation system.”

The Setai, Tel Aviv, opening September 1, is located by Jaffa’s Clock Square on an ancient Crusader stone structure dating back to the 13th century. The property is sectioned into four connecting buildings, some parts of which are newly built, with lower levels maintaining original stone dating back 800 years.
The hotel has 120 rooms spread across categories of Executive, Deluxe, Premium and Premium Plus, along with three luxury suites and one Presidential Suite. All rooms feature marble flooring, king size beds, Italian furnishings, handmade Afghan imported rugs, Smart TV and motion sensor lighting. Most rooms contain a separate bath and shower and around 35 have a sea-facing balcony. The 120m² Presidential Suite offers a panoramic ocean view across Jaffa and Tel Aviv, has a separate living room, outdoor balcony terrace, and private elevator.

“The hotel has been designed to tie into the ambiance and authenticity of Jaffa’s Ottoman Empire, but fit for the present day,” says General Manager Hagai Arbiv. “Each and every space has been carefully designed, and preserved where necessary, to ensure the highest standard in hospitality.”
The entrance level houses: a bar with outdoor terrace, offering light snacks and music entertainment; the main dining room and outdoor courtyard, where a kosher buffet breakfast and a meat dinner are served, and a separate restaurant with sea view, providing fish and dairy options. A VIP lounge is available to business guests, with plans to introduce a library in the future. “We will also incorporate artifacts across public spaces, which will depict stories of the building’s and area’s history,” outlines Arbiv.

The lower ground contains a spa comprising eight treatment rooms, each with private Jacuzzi bath, a Turkish Hamam, dry sauna and gym. This floor also holds an events hall that can seat up to 120 guests, and four fully equipped conference rooms. An infinity pool and separate children’s pool are located on an outdoor deck with sunbeds, where snacks and drinks can be served.

The Setai, Dead Sea is scheduled to open late 2017/early 2018, with information to follow in a future issue.